Baseball: Twins' Joe Nathan has elbow-ligament tear

The Minnesota Twins suddenly have a glaring concern about closing games for the first time since Joe Nathan took over in 2004.

Tests on Nathan's right throwing elbow have revealed a significant tear in the ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that could require season-ending Tommy John surgery. Nathan's 246 saves over six seasons are the most in the majors during that span.

General manager Bill Smith said the plan is to first give Nathan time to let soreness and swelling subside, and build strength in the muscles around the joint, before a final decision about surgery.

In the meantime, a second opinion will be sought from Dr. James Andrews, the noted surgeon who removed bone spurs and chips from the elbow in October.

Nathan will try to pitch again in two weeks. If he can't, the four-time All-Star will have surgery. His season then would almost certainly be over, perhaps putting his status for next year in question, too.

Nationals: Stephen Strasburg battled some nerves and location issues during his spring training debut. Other than those minor hiccups, the top prospect was pretty impressive. Strasburg threw two scoreless innings in Washington's 9-4 loss to Detroit, responding well to the hoopla surrounding his first exhibition start.

Dodgers: Willie Davis, a speedy center fielder who collected two World Series rings, three Gold Gloves and was a two-time All-Star during his 14 seasons with Los Angeles, has died. He was 69. Davis was found dead Tuesday in his Burbank home, police said, adding that they did not believe foul play was involved.

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Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said his estranged wife doesn't need nearly $1 million a month in temporary support because she has assets worth more than $75 million. McCourt wants a judge to deny a request made last month by Jamie McCourt, the Dodgers former CEO, who wants about $989,000 per month.

Yankees: Hal Steinbrenner says the Yankees won't alter their policy against contract extensions and will deal with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Joe Girardi after the season. "Everybody does business in a different way," the team's managing general partner said. "I just don't believe in contract extensions."

Yankees star Alex Rodriguez said he is at ease with his ties to a Canadian sports doctor embroiled in cross-border investigations involving HGH and another drug, though he still hasn't talked to federal authorities about the case.

Speaking a day after Dr. Anthony Galea told The Associated Press he treated Rodriguez last year and prescribed anti-inflammatories but never gave him or any other athlete HGH, the three-time MVP said he still doesn't know when he will be interviewed by federal agents.

Meanwhile, Rockies closer Huston Street says he has been notified that federal investigators might want to talk to him about Galea. Street says he visited the doctor in Toronto in 2007 and 2008 while the right-hander was playing for the A's.

Mets: Shortstop Jose Reyes has an overactive thyroid and is expected to remain in New York while the results of additional blood tests are used to determine his treatment.

Orioles: Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts was feeling ill Tuesday, hampering his rehabilitation for a back injury. Roberts, who the American League with 56 doubles last season, has yet to play this spring.

Rays: Two-time All-Star Hank Blalock has agreed to a minor league contract with Tampa Bay. Blalock hit .234 with 25 homers and 66 RBIs for Texas last year.